Brentford could have a new piece of club history to follow at the World Cup this summer. No player has ever won the tournament while actively contracted to Brentford. The club had to wait until 2018 for one of their players to even appear at a World Cup, when Henrik Dalsgaard represented Denmark in Russia. Brentford have four players at the tournament this year, down from six in 2022, with Igor Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer all involved with their countries. Thiago and Henderson make the question more interesting. Brazil and England are both among the sides expected to go deep into the tournament, both listed in the top 5 favourites to win the tournament this year. Thiago's story is the most eye-catching because of how quickly it has developed. He has already scored for his country, started in their final preparations and spoken openly about wanting to make the most of the trust being placed in him. If Brazil win it with Thiago in the squad, Brentford would have an active World Cup winner for the first time, just two tournaments after having the team's first-ever player to play at the World Cup. Henderson gives the club another route, although his role is more complicated. His England selection brought plenty of debate, with some arguing Thomas Tuchel should have gone with younger midfield options such as Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Lewis Cook or Angel Gomes. That debate is unlikely to disappear. Henderson is not expected to be one of England's main starters, and Tuchel has stronger claims elsewhere in midfield. But Henderson's value in a tournament squad was never going to be built only around starting matches. If England are protecting a lead late in a knockout game, trying to slow the final 15 minutes or manage the emotion of a tight finish, his experience could still become useful. Brazil may offer the cleaner Brentford storyline because Thiago's rise is still fresh. Henderson's woes are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.